Extension

Insects
SP290-M

Maple Petiole Borer

Frank A. Hale, Professor
originally developed by Jaime Yanes, Jr., former Assistant Professor
and Harry E. Williams, Professor Emeritus
Entomology and Plant Pathology

The maple petiole borer, Caulocampus acericaulis
(MacGillivray), was first introduced into the United
States from Europe. This sawfly is wasp-like in
appearance and is rarely seen because of its small size.
Although several species of maple are subject to attack
by this insect, sugar maples are preferred.
Life Cycle
Adult sawflies emerge in early to mid-April. After
mating, the female uses her ovipositor (egg-laying
structure) to puncture the petioles and lay a single
egg near the leaf blades. The larvae are yellowish and
smooth with brownish heads. Larvae are weevil-like
in appearance because the abdominal legs are very
small. Full-grown larvae are one-third inch long. After
hatching, larvae tunnel and consume the contents of
the petioles about one-half inch from the leaf blade.
Early larval activity results in discoloration of the
upper portion of the petiole. This area later becomes
black and shrunken. The attached leaf shrivels and
changes color. After a short period of time, the
petioles break and damaged leaves fall to the ground
(during late April to May). Larvae continue
to feed in the portion of the petiole remaining
attached to the twig for seven to 10 days.
Larvae drop to the ground, burrow down 2
to 3 inches into the soil and overwinter. In
the spring, mature larvae pupate and emerge
as adults in early to mid-April. There is one
generation a year.

Petiole hollowed out in sugar maple larva

Charles D. Pless, University of Tennessee, www.forestryimages.org
Control
Defoliation seldom exceeds a third of
the total foliage. Damage of this type causes
considerable concern to the homeowner.
However, the leaf drop seldom causes injury
to the tree and control recommendations are
usually not warranted.
Some of the maple petiole borer damage
can be prevented by applying Scimitar,
Talstar, Tempo, Decathlon, Bayer Advanced
Rose & Flower Insect Killer, or Tempo SC
Ultra sprays to the foliage in mid-April.

Leaves severed from petioles in sugar maple

Charles D. Pless, University of Tennessee, www.forestryimages.org

Precautionary Statement
To protect people and the environment, pesticides should be used safely. This is everyone’s responsibility, especially the user.
Read and follow label directions carefully before you buy, mix, apply, store or dispose of a pesticide. According to laws regulating
pesticides, they must be used only as directed by the label. Persons who do not obey the law will be subject to penalties.

Disclaimer Statement
This publication contains pesticide recommendations that are subject to change at any time. The recommendations in this
publication are provided only as a guide. It is always the pesticide applicator’s responsibility, by law, to read and follow all current
label directions for the specific pesticide being used. The label always takes precedence over the recommendations found in this
publication.
Use of trade or brand names in this publication is for clarity and information; it does not imply approval of the product to the
exclusion of others that may be of similar, suitable composition, nor does it guarantee or warrant the standard of the product. The
author(s), the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and University of Tennessee Extension assume no liability resulting
from the use of these recommendations.

SP290M 06-0263
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